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Letter from GEORGE PERKINS MARSH to CHARLES ELIOT NORTON, dated
April 22, 1867.,
Original located at the University of Vermont's Special Collections in the George
Perkins Marsh Collection, filed by date.,
http://cdi.uvm.edu/collections/item/gpmcen670422 (accessed March 03, 2015)

Letter from GEORGE PERKINS MARSH to CHARLES ELIOT NORTON, dated
April 22, 1867.

Transcribed by
:

TEI mark-up by
:
James P. Tranowski andEllen Thomson

Published by: University of Vermont. All rights reserved.

Publication Information

Florence Apl 22 67

Dear Sir

I have received your obliging letter of Mch 20' and am glad that you think my article on Cantù worth printing. When I wrote it, I had not
access to Müller's First series, & I perceive, now
that I have consulted it, that my statement of his views requires a little
correction. About the 27' or 28' page, I introduced a quotation from Müller's, second series pp 275-6, & then produced
[proceeded] to state the difference between Müller & Cantù thus:

[Text shown in italics is enclosed in boxes]

The difference between the theory of Müller & Littre and that of Cantù
may be thus stated: Müller & Littré suppose the
classical Latin to be the basis of all the Romance languages

Please correct this by inserting after classical Latin this
qualification, in its incorrect popular form, Again, on the next
page, for: Cantù makes the old -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- unwritten vernacular the basis
Read Cantù makes an old unwritten vernacular dialect the basis of of modern
Italian Further, on the same page for: abnormally developed from
classical Latin Read: abnormally developed from classical Latin
as popularly spoken, Also, same page, for normally developed from
the lingua rustica or popular speech Read: normally developed
from the lingua rustica or vernacular dialect -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- I never doubted that you and
Lowell would bring the North American to the high
position you aimed at & so far as I can judge by what I see and hear about
it, it is now recognised almost universally as first among American, and second to
none among European periodicals. I wish I could write political articles for it but
that seems not allowable at present. I trust the Nation may
be a financial success, but without an advertising patronage like that of the
Atheneum, I fear it never will. It is getting a very good reputation in Europe,
& literary advertisers at least ought to make it their medium.

I send you a No of the Nazione with the judgment--just & merciful--on Persano. I wish the nation had courage and manhood enough to
rid itself of L[...] in the same way. The Italie published here in French daily is,
for the moment, the best Italian journal, & keeps one fairly up with the
political movement. As to literature archaeology c in Italy one must look to France
or England for information. There is no newspaper in Italy which would be -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- considered worth
taking elsewhere, though the Diritto has a good deal of talent.

What you say of the change of opinion in N. E. on the Tariff question is very curious
& interesting. The protectionists seem, as if in answer to the prayers of
the free traders, to be judicially smitten with "more madness". What a bill of
abominations that last was to have been! And what a shame the petition of the
artists for protection.

There is much excitement in Italy in regard to the possible war
between France & Prussia. Italy is, I fear not wise enough to keep
out of the struggle, and there is much danger that she will be drawn in on the wrong
side. The peace establishment is too much for the finances, & with a debt of
about $1000,000,000 & few resources, I do not see how she could stagger
through a war.

I have little
doubt of the ultimate emancipation, political and religious, of Italy, but I do not
expect it to be accomplished as soon as I had hoped. The influences of French
Imperialism and native aristocracy together is quite too great to admit of rapid
moral progress among a people destitute of moral courage. I hoped to be allowed to
accompany Mrs Marsh to Paris for further surgical aid this summer, but I have now no
expectation of being able to obtain leave. She was much improved by her former visit
but needs continued treatment.

Whenever it is convenient the publisher of the N A Review will oblige me by remitting
the compensation for my article to Sen. George F. Edmunds U S
Senate Burlington Vermont on my account

Mrs Marsh joins me in sincere regards to the ladies of your family and -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- to yourself. My
best compliments to Lowell & Child, the latter of
whom I wish joy in his Percy.

Cannot anything be done in the U S for the E. E. Text
Society?

I do not remember whether I mentioned in a former letter
D'Azeglio's Memorie, & his correspondence with Rendu. All
deductions made, they are very interesting and will be useful